President-elect Barack Obama and his beautiful wife and future First Lady Michelle Obama were welcomed to the White House today by the current residents (GWB and his wife Laura) less than one week since he was elected as our nation’s 44th President. Here are a few pics of the Obamas and the Bushs posing for pics in front of the White House just a couple of hours ago and some info from the New York Times about their meeting today:
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, were welcomed at the White House shortly before 2 p.m. Eastern time by the current occupant, President George W. Bush, a man with whom he expressed a sea of differences during the just-ended election campaign. Broadcast images showed Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama strolling along the colonnade toward the outer entrance to the Oval Office. Mr. Obama walked just at Mr. Bush’s shoulder and appeared to be speaking animatedly, gesturing with both hands. Each of the men waved several times to reporters and others off camera. Mr. Bush and the first lady, Laura Bush, are expected to take the Obamas on a tour of the White House, and then Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama are expected to split off for about 90 minutes of formal talks concerning the transfer of power from Mr. Bush’s conservative Republican administration to a presumably much more liberal Democratic leadership. Mr. Obama will be seeing the Oval Office in person for the first time, just 10 weeks before he will make history by returning as its first black occupant, a spokesman for Mr. Obama said earlier in the day … Josh Bolten, the president’s chief of staff, said on Monday morning that the president and president-elect will be alone in the Oval Office when they meet, without aides present. “I’m sure each of them will have a list of issues to go down,” Mr. Bolten said during a televised interview with reporters from The Associated Press and The Washington Post. “But I think that’s something very personal to both of them. I know the president will want to convey to President-elect Obama his sense of how to deal with some of the most important issues of the day. But exactly how he does that, I don’t know, and I don’t think anybody will know.” Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama have had relatively little personal contact before now, and by some accounts, when they have met, there has been some awkwardness … For his part, Mr. Obama and his aides have missed no opportunity to remind Americans that they have only one president at a time. Even so, Mr. Obama and his team are moving expeditiously to plan the transition and a post-Inauguration agenda that aides said would probably include the quick reversal of some Bush policies, such as his restrictions on stem-cell research and on oil and gas drilling. One thing is certain: The body language between the Obamas and the Bushes will be widely scrutinized and assessed, to see whether they appear to be comfortable working together or, as was the case with some past transition meetings, are straining just to appear polite. Mr. Obama flew to Washington Monday morning from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago aboard a chartered American Airlines Boeing Super-80 jetliner. Ms. Obama flew to Washington separately, a spokeswoman for her said. Having had a chance to size up their new accommodations, and those who have occupied them for eight years, the Obamas are scheduled to return immediately afterward to Chicago, where the work of transition will continue. Aides to Mr. Obama said that no Cabinet nominees would be announced this week.
LOL! I’m surprised the Obamas didn’t show up with a bunch of moving boxes to present to the Bushs. I can think of about 65 million people in this country who would love to help the Bushs pack up their shizz in the White House ;)
All kidding aside, tho, I think it’s very admirable that GWB has been so open to starting the transition of power process so soon after the election. This is the first transfer of power since 9/11 and it looks like they want to ensure that there are no gaps that might be exploited by our nation’s enemies. I also think is great that the Obamas are allowed to tour the White House so early before the Bushs move out … that way they can take stock on the home’s inventory so they can make sure the Bushs don’t take nothing with them when they go back to Texas :)
[Source]
*Republican*
To think a black man is finally going to be in the White House is almost enough to make me cry. Reading this post, it just hit me all over again! I am a Canadian and I am just so excited to have this man be President. I have been criticized by some of my fellow Canadians for being quote “obsessed” with this election, but its absolutely foolish to think the President of the US doesn’t affect us here in Canada or indeed the world. And for all you Sensitive Sallys getting your knickers in a twist cuz Trent was having a little fun with ol’ GWB, get over it. The man started a war, LIED TO HIS COUNTRY and is basically responsible for the economy being what it is now. He has wasted millions of dollars and thousands of lives on Iraq….so exactly why don’t YOU want him to go????
Damn, GWB looks worn out.
ROFL
What a great gesture of bipartisanship!! I am very proud at the way George W. and family are helping the Obamas get adjusted to the new lifestyle they will be taking on. It makes me happy that he did not try to spread that bad blood like the Clinton staff did when W was the president-elect.
Hi Trent,
I know you’re a die hard Democrat however, you should still refer to our president as President GWB and First Lady Laura Bush. It’s disrespectful not to.
Thanks so much!
I agree with emily and susan too cocky the bushes are good people just wait till tragedy hits obama while he is in the white house his first year then i may change my mind about him until then he has to prove himself
I think this is a good sign of friendship and that we should all try to work together. I wasn’t a Obama supporter and am afraid for what he will do with the economy but accept the fact he’s president, so we should move forward and hope for the best.
Republicans need to calm down and put bitter resentment aside, but so do Democrats. Bush has had scathing attacks for 8 years (some warranted and some unwarranted). People took great enjoyment of belittling Bush and showing their contempt (much like this blog by not bolding his name for some odd reason). They gave no effort to be bipartisan. Now that their candidate is president they think we should all show respect for a president because he’s our leader, its hypocritical. Obama may be a great president, but he has had a shady past so its not that strange some people are wary.
Now saying all, Trent can post whatever he wants its his blog. Yes I don’t agree with everything he says but when I don’t thats my issue and if I don’t want to hear it I don’t have to.
WOOT WOOT!
I’m so tired of politics – I’m tired of all the negativity that is going on everywhere concerning all subjects.
I’m happy and sadden that Obama became president. Not because of his race but because there are certain things I just don’t agree with on his policy and background. But I don’t agree with completely with McCains policies either. Shoot, I don’t think there is anyone in this world that can find someone they agree with on every single subject, topic and opinion.
But I felt that I had to post this at least. President Bush wasn’t perfect – no president has ever been perfect. But he did what he thought was best right or wrong – just as Obama will do. President Bush and Mrs. Bush deserve our respect for at least trying to do what was right – whether we personally agree with it or not. And yes, while I didn’t vote for Obama – I’ll respect him and his wife also for wanting and hopefully making this country better and stronger.
Just because you don’t agree with someone does not mean you have to be cruel, mean, or heartless.
This is the one blog that doesn’t go to the nasty lengths for a laugh and internet traffic.
But please cut the Bushes a little slack. Their life hasn’t been easy for them – you can see that. This job has taken it’s toll on them and they at least deserve to leave the White house with at least a little common kindness.
And just one simple question – Why is it ok to make fun of the Bushes when no one has even dared do that to the Obamas?
Calgirl – I absolutely agree with you! Whether you support him or not, he IS still PRESIDENT Bush. However, Trent was just quoting The NY Times. A very obvious omission on the part of the original writer.
First, I don’t think this post is insulting to Bush at all.
Christie — Yes, Bush has probably done what he has believed to be right. But this incessant and unnecessary war, which has killed Americans and Iraqi civilians; tax cuts to the rich; ignoring the people devastated by Hurricane Katrina (“You’re doing a heckuva job, Brownie!); ignoring the Constitution (Scooter Libby, anyone?); Cheney overstepping his role as vp; stealing elections; and more is just too much for me to respect.
And people HAVE poked fun at the Obamas. Here’s something from “liberal” John Stewart:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/vi.....mpletes-Us
well im NOT american – and i have to admit, australians love to take the piss out of Bush and his band of republican followers. no offence to americans, we love you guys, but we like to have a bit of a chuckle at the right-wing conservatives who admittedly are viewed as red-necked and ignorant. (dont hate me, im just saying this is what a lot of aussies do!)
with that said – i vehemently disagree with his politics (his politics were downright wrong and immoral in my opinion), but take him outside of the political sphere? he seems like a nice and jovial person.
this post was a bit of fun, and people need to chill out. the world is becoming way too politically-correct as it is. the president isnt God, who the hell cares if someone addressed him “improperly” on a celebrity focused blog? its not 17th century england for crying out loud.
I heard recently that, despite all the perks that come with living in the white house, the first family still has to pay for any food that their private guests consume
As someone who had friends that suffered through Katrina (in the Superdome), I will NEVER forgive the Bush administration. As someone who has had a friend killed in Iraq, I will NEVER like the Bush administration.
I will respect a president who earns it — white, black, man, woman. I will not respect a president how has contributed to the deaths of loved ones.
p.s. those who want to demand for the media to criticize Obama like Bush has been criticize, please remember that OBAMA IS NOT OUR PRESIDENT YET! When he screws up in office, which will happen because it happens to every president, then you draw a parallel to the Obama administration and the Bush administration.
p.p.s people refered to Bill Clinton as Bill Clinton when he was in office. Quite simply, when a man is president, the American citizens feel accustomed to him and the whole “President” title gets forgotten until that man is out of office. Its not per se disrespectful.
maureen – there were Obama effigies hung in ohio and oregon.
Plus, his image was put on fake food stamps; waffles with racist depictions, and people yelling “terrorist” and “kill him” at mccain/palin rallies.
Attacks on Bush have been for his politics, his poor judgement and lack of intelligence that he has displayed throughout his administration. But verbal attacks have not escalated to threats of violence or racim. I would not find an effigy of Bush being hung funny whatsoever.
This post was harmless – calm down people!!
I <3 the OBAMAS!
Oh, they’re just going to be alone in the Oval Office so GWB can tell my beloved Barack Obama about the secret “Presidents Book” cause ya’ll KNOW that thing exist.
Trent, You claim to poke fun at verybody on this site and that’s true except for the Obamas. Since the day he entered the race you’ve acted like he’s the cherry on the sundae of America and he’s not. Don’t get me wrong,I voted for him but he wasn’t my first choice (Go Hillary 2012!) I was sad for me to stand in line for hours just to vote for someone I wasn’t passionate about and in my opinion he’s going to have alot to do in the next four years to convince me that he deserved the job he was elected to do. So all in all I love your site, I won’t stop reading it everyday, and I hope Obama is up to the job(health care for everybody,please hint hint), but please Trent take the wide-eyed hero worship down just a notch, kay?